HSE Project Manager

Bachem; California; On-site; USD 98,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Annual performance bonus

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid vacation and sick days

Job summary

Bachem Americas is seeking an HSE Project Manager to ensure Health, Safety and Environment requirements are integrated across CAPEX projects from concept to start-up.

You will act as the SME for process safety, risk assessments, and contractor safety, guiding project teams and site leadership to maintain compliance and safe operations.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in chemical/ mechanical engineering, life sciences or related field.
• Experience in CAPEX projects, risk assessment and contractor safety management.

Responsibilities

• Act as the HSE SME for CAPEX projects and provide guidance on process safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental protection.
• Ensure HSE requirements are integrated into project concepts and engineering designs from concept through start-up.
• Apply Safety by Design and inherently safer design principles to minimize risks.
• Lead or support Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and ensure HSE deliverables meet milestones.
• Lead or support project risk assessments (WHA, PHA, HAZOP, What-If, ATEX, ergonomics, fire and environmental risk).
• Define contractor HSE requirements and review safety documentation for work permits.
• Ensure effective communications among engineering disciplines and coordinate HSE data reporting.
• Support HSE audits, change-management actions and continuous improvement.
• Assist in developing and implementing process safety management and risk management program requirements.

Skills

HSE leadership

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Risk assessment familiarity

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical / mechanical engineering, life sciences or related field

Associate's in science or related field

Job description

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Bachem is a leading, innovation-driven company specializing in the development and manufacture of peptides and oligonucleotides. With over 50 years of experience and expertise Bachem provides products for research, clinical development and commercial application to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of services. Bachem operates internationally with headquarters in Switzerland and locations in Europe, the US and Asia. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For further information, see www.bachem.com .

A brief overview

The HSE Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) requirements are fully integrated into capital investment (CAPEX) projects from concept and design through construction, commissioning, and start-up. As the site HSE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for projects, the role provides expert guidance to identify, assess, and mitigate project-related risks while ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, corporate standards, and industry best practices. The role has the authority within the project governance framework to challenge unsafe or non-compliant decisions, require corrective actions, and recommend that work be stopped or not started where critical HSE risks are not adequately controlled. As a senior project team member, the role provides visible HSE leadership and communicates clear, practical recommendations to project and site leadership.

What you will do

• Act as the HSE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for CAPEX projects and provide guidance on process safety, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental protection, fire protection, ATEX, ergonomics, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure HSE requirements are integrated into project concepts, layouts, equipment specifications, and engineering designs from early project phases through start-up
• Apply Safety by Design and inherently safer design principles to minimize project and operational risks
• Lead or support Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) and ensure all HSE project deliverables are completed according to project milestones
• Lead or support project risk assessments, including WHA, PHA, HAZOP, What-If Reviews, ATEX assessments, ergonomic assessments, fire risk assessments, and environmental impact assessments
• Define contractor HSE requirements, review contractor safety documentation, and support implementation of permit-to-work processes during project execution
• Ensures effective communications among other engineering disciplines.
• Monitor and report project HSE performance, communicate significant risks, elevate critical concerns, and coordinate the collection and reporting of project HSE data, KPIs, lessons learned, and continuous improvement actions
• Ensure HSE risks and requirements are addressed through project change-management processes and that agreed actions are assigned, tracked, and formally closed
• Support the HSE department with other HSE-related activities and priorities as required
• Assist in the development and implementation of the process safety management (PSM) and risk management program (RMP) Corporate requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree inchemical / mechanical engineering, life sciences or related field
• Associate'sin science or related field with 8+ years chemical, pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, or comparable regulated industry
• 5+years proven experience supporting CAPEX projects, engineering projects, or facility expansions. Experience participating in or facilitating risk assessment methodologies. Experience working with contractors and construction safety management. Experience in commissioning, start up activities, and pre-start up safety is desirable
• Familiar with common risk assessment and process hazards analysis methodologies e.g. FMEA, HAZOP, LOPA, Fault Tree, Cause & Effect, etc.
• Good understanding of occupational safety, industrial hygiene, environmental management, fire protection, emergency response, ergonomics, and ATEX requirements
• Knowledge of applicable HSE regulations, GMP environments, and engineering standards
• Sound judgement and confidence to make decisions within the agreed project framework, balancing HSE, quality, schedule, cost, and operational considerations without compromising legal or critical safety requirements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex HSE risks and recommendations clearly to project teams, contractors, and senior management
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, layouts, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
• Demonstrated experience influencing senior stakeholders and making timely HSE decisions within complex, multidisciplinary project environments
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities
• Strong stakeholder management and project coordination skills
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, resolve conflict constructively, and remain effective under project pressure

Base salary range:

$98,408 - $135,311

Placement of new hires in this wage range is based on several factors including education, skill sets, experience, and training.

Total Rewards

• competitive pay
• annual performance bonus
• a generous benefit package with comprehensive Medical/Dental/Vision coverage
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution
• paid vacation, personal and sick days

Corporate Social Responsibility

Bachem takes responsibility for future generations by a careful handling of resources and avoiding environmental risks. We continually improve our ecological performance and develop and implement new approaches for enhancing employees’ environmental awareness. EcoVadis has awarded Bachem Gold Medal status in their assessment of Bachem.

Bachem Americas is an Equal Opportunity Employer

As an equal opportunity employer, we celebrate the diversity of our team and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where individuals are hired and advanced based on merit, skills, and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

At Bachem, you’ll find a diverse, multicultural team. The (a)in the job title stands for all. We welcome applications from all candidates. What matters are your skills and motivation - regardless of age, gender, background, religion, or sexual orientation.

Please note: unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies will not be considered.